Brit-Think, Ameri-Think: A Transatlantic Survival Guide, Revised Edition [Paperback]

Jane Walmsley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 25, 2003

When it comes to understanding the great cultural ocean that divides Brits and Yanks, it's not just our vocabulary but also our attitudes that differ. This irreverent guide surveys a whole gamut of British-American divergences, from sex to food, from pets to religion, from sports to money, and from war to-most divergent of all-humor. Entertaining and invaluable, Brit-Think, Ameri-Think has been updated to reflect changes in political, cultural, and social trends, and includes new chapters on cultural icons Oprah Winfrey and Bridget Jones, and on Brit-cool vs. Ameri-cool.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

An American broadcaster and journalist who lives in London with her British husband, Walmsley observes that Yanks and Brits have distinctly different "attitudes and aspirations." Here she catalogues some of those differences, and the subjects include pets ("What Joan Collins is to Yanks' fantasies, sheepdogs are to Brits' "); humor ("The vastly popular Johnny Carson Show laid a U.K. egg"); sports (cricket is "an exercise of such subtlety that only life long devotees can tell when the ball is actually in play"); consumerism ("British salespeople are very attached to merchandise and try hard to keep it in the store"); and public appeal ("To succeed in America, you have to be 'cute' "). Walmsley also covers sex, death, religion, war, television and ice cream ("the Great Levelerthe Yank version of pubs"). This is a fine, funny guide from a perceptive humorist.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A candid and humorous look at the way Americans and British view life from different perspectives...combining clever quips with the humour found on both sides of the Atlantic." —The Washington Post



"A funny, shrewd book." —Alastair Cooke

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics); Revised edition (February 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142001341
• ISBN-13: 978-0142001349
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,096 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #13 in Books > Travel > Reference & Tips > Business Travel

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect as Half of the Whole Picture, July 20, 2004

By 

JR Peterman (Ukiah, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brit-Think, Ameri-Think: A Transatlantic Survival Guide, Revised Edition (Paperback)

This book by an American born woman who has been transplanted to Britain is a very enjoyable read. Her anecdotal style makes the information fun and fascinating, and her insights invaluable, though one must have a sense of humor about both cultures as she is very tongue-in-cheek. As opposed to most other books I've read on the subject that are almost strictly technical, Walmsley tells the readers in a very conversational style about many differences that wouldn't occur to most travelers - differences in attitude (about sex, gender issues, finance, etc.), values, customs, etiquette and habits; and she may sometimes touch a little on why the discrepencies exist.

Because this is in no way a dictionary style book, she does not offer alternate words, phrases or technical info. Thus, as a supplement, I highly recommend "Divided by a Common Language" by Christopher Davies, who (as opposed to Walmsley) is a Brit who now lives in Florida.

All in all - a humorous, anecdotal insight into two very different cultures. Even though this may not be as technical as some travelers would prefer, the information is crucial for developing a truer understanding than is offered in any travel guide, so do not pass it over for the latter; buy it as well.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very funny and very true, October 6, 1999

By 

Hugh Mason (Singapore) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Brit-Think, Ameri-Think: A Transatlantic Survival Guide (Paperback)

This book creases me up. As an angry young man growing up in England, it was fashionable to rage against the cultural imperialism of the folks with whom we share something of a common language but actually surprisingly little culture across the water. Now I thoroughly enjoy visiting the US and doing most of my business with Americans - and I put some of the fun and success I've had doing that down to this book. It was bought for me by an all-american gal with the words 'Hugh, read this if you want us get along!" (by the way that's 'get along' not 'get on' - just one example of a potential pitfall for the unwary!). Thank you Marly - and I hereby pass on your commendation to anyone else who's trying to have business or personal relationship across the atlantic divide!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It's a HUMOR book, y'all ...., October 10, 2003

By 

JennyJuniper "regal188" (NC USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Brit-Think, Ameri-Think: A Transatlantic Survival Guide, Revised Edition (Paperback)

As a Brit married to a Yank, I had to laugh at a few of the customer reviews below. Some people seemed to be very seriously expecting a guide about how to avoid horrible breaches of business etiquette. Just because it has 'Survival Guide' in the title..... lighten up!

Admittedly, it probably is a little dated. I was given my treasured, tattered copy a number of years ago by an Anglophile Yank, and laughed my head off at the very accurate observations. I suddenly understood why my American friends thought I had a 'poor self-image' - they take all that self-depracating humor seriously!